Secrets Of The Motorway - M1

#motorways #infrastructure #m1
We're on a journey up the M1 to discover what lies beneath, or to the side perhaps... hidden motorway junctions, abandoned structures, ghost roads and lots more awaits.
In this series we aim to explore what our motorway network is hiding. As we drive along at the 70mph..ish...we simply just wouldn't be aware of what we're missing. This series aims to uncover some of the hidden secrets our motorways have to offer.

[@jessebella9322]

My nan dont like the m1, she says sometimes when she uses it, everyone else is driving toward her the wrong way and it scares her

[@David_D.]

😂😂

[@langdale55]

Your nan nuts!

[@raydebbiemcdonald3208]

I think I followed her one day 🤪😜😝

[@johnmehaffey9953]

Ah yes the oldies are still the best, pun intended 😇

[@bonkeydollocks1879]

Stolen old joke

[@asdhgwsrgbwsf3334]

The turning between junctions 14 and 15 on the M1, locally known as Cattle Creep, is infact used as a turning point for the emergency services! The distance between J14, and J15 is roughly 13 miles, one of the biggest distances between junctions in the UK! Emergency services use it to turn around to reach incidents on the M1 more quickly, otherwise they’d have to go all the way to Northampton (J15) or Milton Keynes (J14) to turn around. It’s also been used to store plant equipment and vehicles during the ‘upgrade’ to Smart Motorways. It’s always had the “no unauthorised vehicles” sign, but since the works they’ve put in ANPR cameras, so any one using it for a quick turn around will get a fine now!

[@milesfb]

Yes, when I saw the thumb nail I immediately thought 'Thats cattle creep crossing'. Ive been involved with the SMP upgrade and learnt to recognise it. And yes it for offical use only, emergency services and highway operatives such maintenance teams. So if anyones thinking of using please dont. Just drive to the next junction to turn around. Good video though.

[@janet180971]

Tinsley Viaduct confuses the hell out of sat navs if you're on the lower deck. It thinks you're on the motorway above and will re-route you accordingly, usually just as you approach the roundabouts so you have no idea which exit you were supposed to take 😂

[@Thematt11]

Awesome video. Just to solve your Tinsley Viaduct conundrum. 6 Million in 1967 is the equivalent of about 58 million (adjusted for inflation) in 2006. The strengthening was still more than the initial build cost, but from an engineering perspective a bigger project because they were effectively rebuilding the bridge from the inside out whilst it was still in use.

[@MLB9000]

You might notice that the older part of the M1 has much longer straight sections than the newer parts. After the motorways had been around for a while they got to thinking that the long straights were too monotonous and were causing drivers to lose concentration or even fall asleep. When the later sections were built it was decided to include very slight curves in all sections of motorway and it’s actually quite rare to see totally straight sections on later motorways.

[@henryyandell3222]

I would imagine it also helps to subconsciously prevent speeding if the driver can’t see as far ahead

[@heyjakeay]

I still almost nod off on the M6 because of how boring it is

[@AutoShenanigans]

Awesome info, I wasn't aware of that.

[@Demun1649]

@@heyjakeay TYhe M6 isn't boring. It has the best Service Station on the M6. There is another great Serevice Station owned by the same family on the M5. No, the M6 is great because it has the BEST Service Station.

[@heyjakeay]

@@Demun1649 Won't disagree with you there but it's still quite a long, straight, boring road getting to it

[@Splodge360]

Why am I watching this.... subcribed can't wait for next episode...

[@andyjay9346]

I used to travel on the M1 with my family, Dad driving of course, between 1960 - 1964. It was awe inspiring journey back then. Have not travelled on it since then 'cos we had all moved to Australia. It's good to see it upgraded.

[@markdavis4754]

You have to appreciate the effort put into making this video.

[@AutoShenanigans]

I enjoy filming it despite the 20 hour days by the time you get home. As long as you guys enjoy watching then it's a fair deal.

[@NarrowboatSuperB]

At 5.36 I attended that incident, it was a Sunday night around 8ish the bells went at Loughborough Fire Station, everything from our station went plus pumps from Leicester, Shepshed, Long Eaton, Coalville, we were sat on the airport apron and saw it coming in, then nothing, my mate said its crashed, we all replied "Don't be daft" then the call came over the radio to divert to the Motorway, how it didn't involve any road traffic was a miracle.

[@scottsunderland3777]

At 7:23 in the video at the 'Graffiti Underpass' in Horbury, the mural on the right of the young lad is that of Joel, - a nice lad in my year at school who tragically lost his life in 2013 after an asthma attack. Amazed to see its still holding up almost 9 years later.

[@AutoShenanigans]

Wow... I saw it and wondered what the story behind it was, it makes it far more saddening when you find out. What a shame but kudos to the artist.

[@DuncanDis0rderly]

What I love about KZbin is this guy has a niche interest, can record himself talking about his passion and now loads of us are also interested. Great job

[@k.r.baylor8825]

You'd never see this kind of niche programming on any regular cable TV or broadcast channel. YT is made for this kind of unique video adventures. It's even more enjoyable when the post-production is as good as this chap's. Looking forward to the next one in the series! Cheers from Virginia, USA.

[@whyyoulidl]

I could imagine this kinda content would've gone down well on the old Men & Motors UK channel. That's where Top Gear's Richard Hammond cut his TV teeth...

[@owainsutton4865]

The turnback junction between J14 & J15 corresponds with the boundary of Thames Valley Police and Northamptonshire Police's remits.

[@seanretro2930]

Also next to the M1 in Sheffield, there used to be two cooling towers. When they set to be demolished that part of the M1 had to be closed for safety, also to check for any damage after the cooling towers got blown up. From what Mum and Dad told me is that they felt the vibration when the cooling towers came down at night, but me ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ.

[@rhyslister2754]

Two very famous cooling towers used to stand next to Tinsley viaduct. Always remember looking out for them on trips as a kid, such a shame they were ripped down 😢

[@stevecarter8810]

Yes such a landmark on the way to York for me. The route's got safer and more convenient but I miss the craziness of that route after Sheffield

[@woohoomusic5098]

I live in the US and have never left the country and probably never will be able to due to financial difficulties but I'll try my best to memorize these M1 facts just in case I find myself on the M1 motorway

[@AutoShenanigans]

Excellent.. I'd also suggest keeping an eye out for the M25... another gem.

[@grindelston5968]

M62 is best 'M'

[@Mgameing123]

@@AutoShenanigans A gem that many people dread.

[@Luluxxxx]

I’m pleased you mentioned mess that is the London end of the M1. The fact that once you get on at Junction 1, you’re stuck on it until Watford! Being able to exit northbound at Mill Hill or Edgware would surely reduce local traffic on the A5 and A41…

[@lifesbeengoodtomesofar4040]

I live near the junction 14/15 underpass which is located in Salcey Forest. Locally it’s known as the cattle creep as I believe at one time it was an opening for animals to cross. It’s only just been redone with the ramps you see now, only 2 years ago the ramps were seriously potholed concrete and no one used it for vehicles. There is a right of way through it and we often used it to get from Salcey forest in to a set of mountain bike jumps in the bit of wood the other side, or to get from Hartwell in to the forest.

[@Skyfighter94]

I never have been to the UK. Still, I'm sitting here watching a video of someone driving down a motorway... KZbin is intriguing

[@PaulShendtown]

The four chimneys that remained of the Watnall Brickworks stood until 2009 when they were demolished. They could be clearly seen from the M1. A bunch of us from Nottingham spent some considerable time working away up north back in the 90s and when we travelled south back home, when we saw the four chimneys we would cheer because we knew we were nearly home. Happy days. 😊

[@SteveDull]

Eight and a half minutes of interesting video delivered in - and with - great style. Thanks for your efforts

[@Louisejames23]

London gateway will forever be known as Scratchwood, it’s original name until some bright spark decided that a motorway service area was the starting point for your journey into the bright lights of that London. Also the “junction” between 14 & 15 is what breakdown services use to take you to the nearest junction, as I discovered when my car died and the RAC towed me under the motorway and back to Northampton. Very entertaining 👍😬

[@xowaspxowasp5772]

I know an old guy called Joe that worked on the construction of the M1. He overheard a conversation between one the machine operators & one the design engineers. One question was "why aren't we digging out for four lanes instead of 3"? The reply was "we'll never need four lanes". 🤔 🤣🤣🤣

[@nervo6321]

Great video...as a trucker i go the length of the M1 on a regular basis, i have always noticed the ghost slip roads just before Tibshelf services.

[@AutoShenanigans]

Thanks for watching mate!

[@paulbramley6436]

I've just found your channel John and I'm hooked already. Trying to binge watch my way through. Great humour and information throughout. Keep up the good work.

[@darren25061965]

The M1 also terminated as a DEAD END FLYOVER at Leeds, the reasoning being the idea that the road could be extended to meet the A1. Decades later this did happen although not by the originally envisaged route. Infact if you are travelling further South than Sheffield from the A1, ignore the A1/M1 link (as its known), and continue down tha A1, then take the M18 to the M1. Its a shorter distance and a great deal quicker.

[@cigmorfil4101]

It's about 10 miles shorter - I've used that route on many occasions.

[@MrGreatplum]

Well, this popped up in my recommended - wonderfully filmed, full of excellent geeky info that I can annoy my family with! Subbed!

[@paulmac7667]

Never thought that I (an Aussie) would take an interest in British motorways, but after watching such a fine presentation, I reckon I'll be tuning in again. Your voice is quite pleasant to the ear also, so feel free to drag these out to half an hour or so.

[@Azrantha]

7:15 £6m in 1968 was equivalent to £53m in 2006, so the maintenance was still more expensive than building it, but not quite 14 times as much! (The Bank of England website has an inflation calculator)

[@danimayb]

As of right now 6m in 1968 is worth over 100m in spending power today! Somewhere around 115 I think..

[@chrisoddy8744]

I always thought the sliproads at what would have been Long Whatton Services had something to do with the original M64 proposal, which would have joined the M1 just south of East Midlands Airport (whereas the A50, which does basically the same job as the M64 proposal, joins North of the airport instead). Maybe a "Cancelled roads" series would work well alongside the abandoned ones to look at never built road projects like the M64...?

[@alantheskinhead]

I have photos of my dad standing on a just completed motorway bridge near the yet uncompleted J21 as he did a lot of electrical engineering for the motorway including the design of the "Fog Warning Lights" that could be seen at many junctions. The ones at J21 were automatic as they could detect fog by using optical sensors that triggered the lights on foggy days. My mother worked at Leicester Forest East Services that was a destination venue for people from Leicester. She worked in the then Terrance Conran designed restaurant that was the height of chic in those days. Also there was the huge uproar over the M1 as it's intended route was to pass through the local Bradgate Park or skirt it. Even now if you look at Google maps you will see that the motorway veers around north Leicester in a odd way. The original remit was for the M1 to go to right of Markfield and not to the left as does now. As a child my earliest memories are of the M1 sitting in Mk1 Consul Cortina as we lived between London and Leicester as my mum was in the rag trade. I can remember the old M10 at St Alban's and the original duel carriageway between the then M10 (A414) and the Watford junction (where they often filmed "Carry On....." films and On the Buses). That part of the M1 was also used by the Ministry of Transport for testing road surfaces, white lines and gantry frames. I also remember the original J1 slip road! There are also other secret junctions and underpasses near the Watford bit. Plus there was the part of the M1 that was able to handle small planes landing on it up near Leicester.

[@TransportSimulatorNationTSN]

Here living in the US, Learning about the M1🤣. have to love you too for recommend this video. Great video by the way 👍.

[@paulhyde1834]

What a brilliant video!! This gentleman is a kindred spirit and, plainly, fascinated by the same things as me!! I remember the Staples corner 'road to thin air' section and drove on the forgotten M1 - A1 link many, many times in the 1970's..... Thank you!!!

[@leopold7562]

That’s not the only example of a “road to nowhere” either. There’s quite a few dotted about for motorways that never got built. The motorway nearest to me, the M67, has two, one at each end, and it’s only 4 miles of the original run which was planned to go from Manchester to Sheffield, but now just bypasses Hyde

[@joestanley7523]

Another secret of the M1 is the curse of the inside lane. 90% of travelers are too afraid to use it which causes all sorts of problems.

[@AutoShenanigans]

Suits us, it creates a mostly traffic free lane ;)

[@whyyoulidl]

Same as junction 4, A1(M) - middle lane hogs all the way thru the bend, north and southbound 🤦🏾‍♂️

[@kenstevens5065]

I love the inside lane on long motorway journeys, a steady 55 keeps me alert watching for HGV's behind, saves loads of fuel and keeps emissions down. When they overtake a flash of my headlights so that they can see they are clear of me to return to the inside lane. Thanks boys and girls. Keep Britain great.

[@iantrembirth6918]

A friend of mine has lived in Nottingham for 15 years and visits family in London every month. In those 15 years, there has never been a time where there hasn’t been major roadworks somewhere on the M1.

[@AutoShenanigans]

Once upon a time, I had to do the daily commute from Milton Keynes to Staples Corner during the widening of the M1, it was a right shit show.

[@Ncfc-ek8il]

5:45 The old brickworks at Hucknall used to have five or six tall chimnies which could be seen for miles around.They have only been demolished in the last ten years or so. It was derelict land for years and was a very spooky place to go !

[@whyyoulidl]

A petrolhead version of disused railway exploring? Count me in - subscribed!

[@freqeist]

me too.

[@Tewy]

Glossed over Bolsover Castle, Hardwick Hall, Sutton Scarsdale and of course the mighty meadowhall shopping centre. Could have mentioned the cooling towers, salt and pepper, next to the TINSLEY viaduct (you said Tilsey) which were removed in 2008 I think it was. Don't get me wrong, the video is a good start, but might as well have done it in bits.

[@matthewtemprell5422]

Good old bolsover castle. My home town can just see my house off the M1 too.

[@Tewy]

@@matthewtemprell5422 same, good sir. 👍

[@eggy77]

I guess it's more to do with the actual structure of the m1 and abandoned bits and bobs rather than the surrounding area, although he has included a few surrounding things he wanted to.

[@farminstoltzfus]

Here in the US, the Ohio Turnpike used to have a similar numbering system for exits/junctions. Trouble became when they would add exits/junctions, the new exit would be numbered 12A, 12B, 15A, etc depending on what exits/junctions the new exit was in between. They eventually abandoned that numbering system and went to how other freeways/toll roads exits/junctions are numbered and that's by the mile marker

[@pg4662]

Last thing I thought I'd want to watch, not sure which rabbit hole I went down but it was fascinating!! And i was heavily involved in the Kegworth air crash, thank you for remembering it. Whenever I pass there my thoughts go back to it.

[@wdielwlairajmd]

The abandoned slip road in London is on the path of the disused railway from Mill Hill East to Edgware that was never converted to Underground after WW2. They had only electrified up to Mill Hill East and the rest was closed.

[@CooperSTraveller]

Northern Ireland has numerous unfinished motorways .. the M22 for instance which stops and starts along it planned route and areas with slips ways and bridge built but no roads. And incidentally the Craigavon Bridge in Londonderry is a two tier bridge that was finished in 1933 with upper deck for vehicle traffic and lower deck for trains. This lower deck was converted for vehicle traffic in 1968. This would be the first twin tier bridge of its kind in the British Isles.

[@PowerJugs]

Buncefield was about a mile away where I am in Hemel. Was relocated to a hotel for 6+ months on insurance while house was checked for structural damage when in Primary school.

[@Timberwolf69]

Those old, abandoned bridges are quite helpful for the local fauna to safely cross the motorway.

[@VivekPatel-ze6jy]

I'm so glad that in most UK cities, the motorway goes to the side rather than through the center. In Leicester, we have it on the west of the city (rural when the M1 was built). Meanwhile in the US highways are literally cutting cities in half and quarters...

[@trueriver1950]

Just one word in reply to that Birmingham

[@drycfc]

Glasgow

[@janceret353]

Very interesting! Thanks for showing us all the secrets!

[@darshitcumdeepgupta6998]

Nice work John. Been here from when you did the first motorway services. Nice to see you go Viral. You put in a lot of effort into creating content for us.

[@AutoShenanigans]

Thanks for sticking around, wouldn't have got this far without those early subs!

[@bobspeller2225]

This is a great review of the M1, lots of stuff I didn't know. Cheers Bob

[@darshitcumdeepgupta6998]

Thanks John, loved the motorway services series. Will defo enjoy this series too.

[@jimprojectgoldwing5536]

The Tinsley viaduct was the first of its kind in the UK and the only one of its kind anywhere in the world still standing. Other countries that had Steel box girder designs, have either seen them collapse or replaced them before they collapse. and the only reason the Tinsley viaduct hasn't collapsed was they removed a lane of traffic to help reduce fatigue.

[@damiendye6623]

And all the strengthening works of which in my life time has happened twice to it. Am surprised they haven't added supports to the outside so they could reopen the lanes now nothing is blocking it like it used to when it was built as all the steel works and power plant have long gone

[@jimprojectgoldwing5536]

@@damiendye6623 I've often thought that. Adding supports to the outsides, would seem the most logical answer.

[@jonathanravenhilllloyd2070]

I had no idea there were people who got as excited about motorways as other people do about train lines.

[@royfontaine5526]

and why not?

[@pelnapkins4379]

It's interesting.

[@ralphwhitehead3441]

Absolutely love all those extra interesting bits. Keep doing them.

[@CaptainKA320]

Started to watch out of curiosity, then found it quite interesting, who would have thought there were so many facts about the M1. Thanks for sharing

[@patchmax1]

The junction between 14 and 15 is Cattles Creep - an old farmers route under the M1. It's now used for HETO and Emergency services due to the length of the junction. It has cameras / ANPR coverage so anyone unauthorised using it will get a fine

[@West4ea]

7:14 you say how it cost more to modify than build the bridge. Well there’s inflation over the years since the bridge was built but the main thing is they modified the bridge whilst keeping the M1 open that massively adds to the cost and complications. It’s like you house it’s expensive and difficult to totally renovate while you are living there but when it was a new build and empty site it was quite easy

[@TMGamingish]

6m back then is around 74m today, makes sense

[@antonydewar7875]

Exactamundo

[@johnleaper9711]

Goodness knows how I ended up watching this. In the 60s one Friday evening my dad took me to see the newly opened M1 south of Sheffield. We had to wait an age to see a car on it but were rewarded with a cheery wave. Interesting video, John is made for narrating, VERY good drone footage. Thanks.

[@mickgoodbe235]

Excellent info and background - comments just as interesting! Thanks

[@David_D.]

3:54 - You will often find these types of access roads close to county borders. As you suggested they are for the emergency services but more specifically for the police to turn around at the end of their force area. This one is situated close to the Northamptonshire - Buckinghamshire border.

[@AutoShenanigans]

It is and that makes perfect sense.

[@danburfot334]

It's also because of the sheer distance between junc 14 and 15!

[@CycolacFan]

You’d have to have your wits about you slowing down from 70mph in that amount of space the first time you used it 😮

[@alistairpatterson429]

@@AutoShenanigans On this kind of vein, in Rugby just off of J18 we all know the M45 to be a non patrolled section of motorway, as emergency services have nowhere to turn around a considerable distance on either side of the Northants/Warks border. If a police car from Rugby passes J1 for the A45 and receives a call, they have to drive all the way to J16 for northampton before turning around and coming all the way back on themselves for a total journey time of 45 minutes just to get back to their start point on the other side of the carriageway - hence they don't do it.

[@David_D.]

@@danburfot334 Yes absolutely, that's even more reason for the police to have this to use. There's one of these on the M62 on the Cheshire - Greater Manchester border but it's literally only 1 mile from Junction 11. It isn't used nowadays since the introduction of the ALR carriageway.

[@StolenOxygen]

Incredible trove of historical information, I love it!!

[@AutoShenanigans]

Appreciate that, thanks for watching.

[@cxnewton]

Cracking video. smashed the algo out the park! bravo!

[@Willeh85]

For the viaduct when the repairs were done, there is an inflation calculator on the bank of England website. For some comparison the initial build cost of £6,000,000 in 1968 would have been £53,097,093.23 in 2006, but that is still quite a long way short of the £82million for improvements

[@ukspawn666]

factor in people putting their hands in the pot and youre about there

[@Kaitler_Motorsport_Engineering]

Well done John, well put together. Cheers from Australia.

[@sidvee]

My Dad & a couple of his friends. Came over from the Netherlands on Holiday, a couple of weeks after the M1 opened. The Police moved them on at 3am. As they had just pulled over, put the tent up & gone to sleep

[@Norfolknoel]

Wow again so enjoyable to watch! Super job.

[@amarjamaluddin6086]

im from malaysia and drove here from manchester to edin early summer this year. what great scenary

[@41istair]

Further North, the M6 becomes the M74 - There is great historical footage uploaded recently of its construction: "Construction of the M74 around Bothwell &Uddingston area 1964 - 66"

[@41istair]

Link: kzbin.info/www/bejne/g4eWi2h-rb-Sgs0

[@salerio61]

That was interesting. Well done. Not sure why it popped into my feed, but I'm glad it did.

[@louiseogden1296]

Re: Buncefield -- my parents heard it...and we are just south of Reading. Honestly, the M1 has a lot of memories for me; I went to school in Bedford and did work experience in London, commuting mostly by bus one cool summer. My husband and I took the last major journey in his old car to a convention in Sheffield in 2017. We went straight up the M1, but came down it in a different way -- we left at Towcester because of heavy traffic, but then found ourselves flying by the seat of our pants around Bletchley and even passing the Milton Keynes turn-off, familiar from my days in Bedford, before finding our way down to Basingstoke where we live(d). Sadly this was our last major expedition together -- he died two years later of kidney cancer. It was a fun drive in all sorts of ways, and since I don't drive due to my autism and my parents are getting too old to go on road trips for the sheer heck of it, I don't think I'll ever get the pleasure of just taking off to explore the motorway. I would do if I could, though.

[@sdavey10]

Hey John! That was awesome, cheers for that.

[@misterflibble9799]

£6 million in 1968 (when the Tinsley Viaduct opened) is the equivalent of £92 million today, just taking inflation into account. Inflation in the 1970s was brutal, and it looks like we're going that way again. Plus, the "few modifications" have to be done whilst keeping the road open, something that the original builders didn't have to worry about. And, they have to be done under a stricter H&S regime.

[@AutoShenanigans]

Very true, a little poetic licence may be used when writing our episodes ;)

[@kenstevens5065]

Let's hope the viaduct was made of British, preferably local Sheffield and Rotherham steel. Anyone know?

[@dala5568]

@@kenstevens5065 I don’t know for sure, but it was built within a mile one side of Steel, Peech and Tozer , the other side within a mile of Hadfields.

[@kenstevens5065]

@@dala5568 Thanks for that.

[@handlesarefeckinstupid]

There is a few hidden off ramps near service stations. There is one near Rotherham for a service station, I used to use it to get to work. Never got caught, luckily.

[@YelpBullhorn]

Interesting fact that you could’ve included in this film: the big FO guns on the front of HMS Belfast on the River Thames are aimed at London Gateway Services.

[@od3447]

He’s mentioned that in a previous episode.

[@FoxDren]

When asked why they where aimed at the service station the response was something to the effect of "they have to aimed somewhere and 'the middle of some random field' doesn't have the same marketing appeal"

[@Ncfc-ek8il]

Lol !!

[@whyyoulidl]

I'd question their trajectory unless the aim is regularly calibrated... Now, where exactly does BoJo live?

[@mastertyreshredder]

I’m glad I have found this channel some of the things you say and do gives me a good laugh respect from Australia 🇦🇺

[@HighlandMike325]

Think you are right about the emergency services turning point. There's one much less elaborate on the M62 near Rawcliffe. I don't know if its significant, but on one side of it it's North Yorkshire Police, on the other it's Humberside Police

[@richardbell9656]

It was built because it is the longest distance between junctions compared to anywhere else on the M1 motorway. Junction 14 - 15.

[@shero113]

At the Scratchwood Services (now London Gateway) there's a service road to Apex Corner (Northway Service), well, actually Ellesmere Avenue. For decades locals used it in place of J3, but the motorway people put in more and more restrictions to catch people. Now it's impossible, almost... Also, going northbound, just before the bridge at J4 there used to be a northbound exit, that lead to the A41 southbound. It was supposed to be for authorised vehicles only, but it wasn't really checked, or used . However, a few years ago it was turfed over. You can just see where it was. Strange, as it would have been very useful, but I guess they didn't want to dump traffic onto the Spur Road roundabout. Until 2 years ago, or so the 'original' J1 was still visible on West End Lane as a car yard/waste land. Now a new block of flats, shops, etc.

[@WilliamDavidKirbyUK]

As ever a great explanation of the route and other things alongside. Thank you Jon

[@brucegoatly]

Interesting, thanks! My father was a Chartered Civil Engineer and was the Liaison Engineer for the section of the M1 from Crick to the M18. He never said anything about abandoned plans for service stations, though.

[@DaveJMcGarry]

Used to ride our bikes up and down those unused slip roads in Mill Hill in the 70's and 80's but i cannot ever remember them being open to traffic. Subbed

[@capcompass9298]

I found the first junction whilst living in the area. Fascinating.

[@bashinmybishop]

A good Saturday nights viewing. Thanks

[@spinosauruswearingboots4156]

Having grown up and lived in the South West all my life the M1 is a motorway I just never use. Interesting video thanks.

[@Programmy]

I'm not even in the UK, this is entertaining.

[@AutoShenanigans]

A huge compliment. Many thanks!

[@garywhaley4040]

The underpass btw 14 &15 was called ‘cattle creep’ and was used by emergency services to access incidents btw junctions rather than having to go to Newport P or J15 to turn around. I was old bill on the M1 at the turn of the 90s and it was invaluable…

[@montyburnsgaming3609]

Could also be useful if you get stuck in traffic and decide to turn back or if you missed the turn off for the last junction.

[@garywhaley4040]

I'm not sure it's still feasible - that part of the M1 has been converted to a Smart Motorway (Oxymoron!) so there's no hard shoulder to use to slow down to come off and use the underpass, nor on the other side to build up speed before re-joining the main carriageway

[@montyburnsgaming3609]

@@garywhaley4040 yes probably not safe for normal traffic, the slip lanes looked very short anyway, which doesn’t give you much time to slow down coming off or speed up coming back on. I agree with you on smart motorways, I think they’re a dumb idea, and potentially dangerous if you break down on one.

[@eddiemaylor2716]

I drive up and down the M1 a lot, and this answers a couple of questions I have wondered for years. Thanks.

[@michaelhawthorne8696]

Very interesting info thanks, I could listen to a lot more of this if you have it....

[@SiR2Dean]

The most and best information, I didn't even realise I wanted to know 😊 great video 👍 thanks

[@cigmorfil4101]

The M1 used to end in Leeds and that section is now the M621. Where the M1 now splits from its old route and goes round Leeds it was not quite completed in mid 1998 and part of it was used as a car park for V98.

[@richardpalmer3998]

I thought something might have been said about this stretch. I think the link road was privately owned initially ... not sure if it still is. There's also J.46 that wasn't commissioned for years. Something to do with it exiting on to a minor road and Leeds Council not wanting to paying for the upgrade

[@probablygraham]

I remember as a young kid when there were just some railway tracks at the end of the road. Then they built the motorway about 150 yards from our house in Colindale.

[@techtinkerin]

That was cool, love all this motorway stuff. I've been fascinated since I was a kid traveling with parents all over UK but mainly between Manchester and down south or Manchester to Scotland.👍😎❤️

[@graceygrumble]

Why, in the name of all that is holy, did this pop up as recommended for me? Who could possibly be interested? Well, ... me, apparently. I really enjoyed this. Ha!

[@yips_way]

Ditto, especially when I remembered I did some design work for the update to Tinsley Viaduct - maybe KZbin knew that...wait...what!!!. Think I need to check my privacy settings lol ;p

[@raygale4198]

Not only was it enjoyable I now have highway envy!. In Australia we still think a dual lane carriageway with traffic lights every kilometer is normal. Imagine being able to drive at proper speeds like 80 mph for hours on end through semi rural areas, bliss.

[@AutoShenanigans]

"Who could possibly be interested" A question I get asked very regularly. It should be the strapline for the channel. Thanks for watching mate :)

[@whyyoulidl]

@@AutoShenanigans C'mon, get that merch line going: "Auto Shenanigan - Who could possibly be interested?" T-shirts, mugs, car stickers, condoms, body bags? Ok maybe not the last one...

[@blackclock7278]

The Watnall brickworks used to feature four distinctive chimneys which were a real local landmark and like Tinsley’s cooling towers, always let locals know they were nearly home. Also on site were a row of cottages which ended up housing troublesome council tenants! All a good while back and like the chimneys, sadly demolished.

[@glynnbarton2614]

ive just moved from hucknall but remember the sunday market when were the chimneys demolished? i use to walk my dog up there

[@blackclock7278]

@@glynnbarton2614 they were demolished in August 2009. If I recall, it was done very slyly as there was a lot of local affection for the chimneys. Very little warning about the demolition - literally there one minute and gone the next. I used to enjoy that Sunday market too.

[@stevethomas5849]

Fascinating, thank you ! I do find infrastructure interesting that's the geek in me. I was driving on the elevated section of M5 between junction 19 Gordano/Portishead and junction 20 Clevedon. The thought come to how often its checked and what's its lifespan.

[@nervo6321]

Great research and info...cheers for the vid from a HGV driver who travels the length of the M1 every week.

[@777Jozza]

You missed junction 16! We used to go to raves under there in the late 90's. There was a group of new age travellers that lived down there and every Saturday night hundreds of ravers got together for an all night party. There's a gate that leads to a track that runs round and under the motorway there. Good times :)

[@saintuk70]

The series that keeps on giving

[@DollyRotten]

Loved this video, also appear to have discovered my optimal length for youtube content! Nice one.

[@bryannelson8903]

Loved this. I was extremely interesting as I travel up and down the motorways more often than I want too. I always wanted to know what those ghost junction were.

[@samfordsaunders]

Great video - lots of stuff I never knew. I was expecting to see a bit of a reference to the stretch of the A414 off J8 of the M1 that runs down to the Park Street Roundabout that used to be the M10, the shortest motorway in the country until they switched it to be a continuation of the A414 in 2009. Lots of the motorway infrastructure is still there, and it feels very weird to drive on!

[@davehughes825]

The junction between J14 and J15 is called Cattle Creep and is there to shorten the turn around time between these junctions for the emergency services and highway maintenance as it’s approx 14miles when I worked on there we used it quite a lot

[@SeanMidlandstransporthub]

Great video! There's a really cool part of the M1 near the M45 junction where the West Coast Mainline railway runs parallel to it. Whilton Marina is also close to this and a nice walk

[@patrickmartin3322]

If someone tried doing this with the Interstates over here in the US each episode would be like an hour long

[@AutoShenanigans]

So true... It'd take a week just to cover one highway!